See Also:

bug(1) (iou)



bug noun1.LME-L19.
[Rel. to BOGGARD, BOGLE, etc. Connection with Welsh bwg, bwgan (ghost, hobgoblin), bygwl (fear, threat) uncertain. Cf. BUGBEAR.]
An (imaginary) object of terror; a bugbear, a bogey; a scarecrow.
Comb.: bug-word a word meant to frighten.